Japan. Djibouti. Memphis. During his Navy Reserve career, Lt. Cmdr. Eric Kemp’s activations had taken him around the world. Hard to believe they are now all in the rearview mirror.

Kemp retired March 1 after nearly 34 years of combined Active and Reserve Component service, most recently assigned to Navy Personnel Command (NPC) as a Selected Reserve (SELRES) Human Resources Officer.

As a civilian, Kemp is the branch head of Business Sustainment at MyNavy Career Center (MNCC), where he sits in a unique position in his Millington office. Not only is he one of the first recipients of the new Certificate of Uniformed Service (Reserve Addendum), or DD Form 214-1, but he also led the team who implemented it.

“Veteran Status”

In February 2022, DOD Instruction 1336.01 directed all branches of service to develop and implement the DD-214-1 within three years. The form is a consolidated official summary record of career points and active service periods, ensuring Reservists receive veterans’ benefits to which they are entitled.

For service members applying for benefits after the military, the Certificate of Uniformed Service, or DD-214, is a symbol of “veteran status” for organizations like the Veterans Administration (VA), Kemp said.

The saying goes: “If it wasn’t documented, then it didn’t happen.” This can ring true for some Reservists who never receive a DD-214 in their career. Reservists get a DD-214 for each period of active service greater than 90 days, but some never activate for that long.

“Veteran ‘status’ comes from having a DD-214,” said Kemp. If you don’t have one, he added, “in many eyes, you’re ‘not a veteran.’” Kemp himself received one upon discharge from active duty and from each of his activations in Japan and Djibouti, but many Reservists don’t serve on active duty first.

“You can join the Reserve coming off the streets, civilian to SELRES,” Kemp said. Some drilling Reservists in his charge never served longer than 90 days at a time, he added. “They couldn’t go to the VA unless they had documentation of injuries that happened while they were on orders.”

Kemp said receiving necessary benefits would have been “difficult – not impossible, but very difficult” – for Reserve veterans without a DD-214. Developing and implementing the DD-214-1 was important not only as Kemp approached retirement himself but also to help make “veteran status” more accessible for countless Reservists to come.

“Given the Reservists or National Guardsmen who otherwise would not have discharge paperwork, this is a great, great thing,” said Kemp.

A Team Effort

Kemp and his team at MNCC took on the job of developing and implementing the Navy’s DD-214-1, a task he said he relished twofold.

“I had a vested interest because of my SELRES status, but also on the civilian side leading the implementation,” said Kemp.

He and his team developed the DD-214-1 alongside stakeholders from NPC’s SELRES Retirement Office, or PERS-9, as well as Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (RESFOR) and Transaction Service Center (TSC) Norfolk, which processes Navy separations and houses the Reserve HR Center of Excellence (RCOE).

The team began issuing the DD-214-1 to Reservists separating, retiring, or transitioning into the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) starting Feb. 1. They have issued more than 2,700 so far, and Kemp was among the first retirees to receive one.

Since Kemp’s effective date coincided with implementing the form, the team used his case to evaluate and find ways to improve the process. MNCC is working to develop Reserve separation codes, which characterize a member’s separation for beneficiary purposes.

“You have various separations, from medical to legal, on the active side,” Kemp said. “You have those same discharge types on the Reserve side, and while some [codes] are similar, the wording on them is different.”

Kemp said the Reserve can adopt most active-duty separation codes, and his team works with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and the VA to ensure this happens until the Reserve has its own.

As more Reservists gradually go through the new process, Kemp and his team stay connected with Navy Reserve Centers (NRC) to provide support, manage expectations, and help refine members’ experience.

What Reservists Should Expect – and Do

When Reservists separate, retire or transition, they receive their final DD-214, as well as a DD-214-1 documenting total career points, total active and inactive service, and non-regular retirement (NRR) calculations. NRR-eligible service helps Reservists retire with pay sooner than age 60.

To ensure an accurate DD-214-1 and a smooth transition to veteran or IRR status, Reservists must submit timely separation requests through their NRC, or retirement requests to PERS-9, using the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS). They will also review and sign their DD-214 and DD-214-1 in NSIPS.

Kemp said fellow Reservists should also heed the classic advice they’ve received their whole career.

“Growing up in the military, we hear how important [it is] to have our record as accurate as possible,” Kemp said. “It’s also important because it’s associated with your discharge.”

Kemp said Reservists should take the time to ensure an accurate record within the Navy Enlisted/Officer Participation System, or NEOPS, within NSIPS. Review career points for accuracy and verify evaluations, awards, and orders are in the system, with overseas orders annotated as such.

“Take care of your record just as you would going up for a board – maintain that ‘spic and span’ record,” advised Kemp. “If you have questions or need something corrected in your record, you can call MNCC any time and we will take care of you.”

MNCC’s mission is to deliver modern hire-to-retire HR services through 24/7 customer service to Sailors, veterans, and their families. Through Sailor feedback, MNCC constantly strives to provide more resources and accurate resolutions. Contact MNCC at (833) 330-MNCC (6622) or AskMNCC@navy.mil. Find online self-service options on MyNavy Portal at my.navy.mil.